It`s been the flavour of Bollywood for sometime now: this number between Leander Paes and Mahima Chaudhury. The tennis star, as he is wont, does not believe in the game of denials though he refused to confirm on a date of marriage.The numero uno of Indian tennis said: " I have never denied my relationship with Mahima, who is a great person and when we decide to get married, we will make the announcement."

The buzz has been around for a couple of months now since the two celebrities reportedly chanced upon each other during a foreign trip, following which the duo has made quite a few public appearances together. "We try to catch up whenever both of us are in Mumbai, but then both of us have so little time. Frankly speaking, I did not have the idea of the tremendous stress that they have to undergo in the entertainment industry till I met her," said Leander.What does the Sr Paes have to say on the issue?

"I have met Mahima on a few social occasions in Mumbai and she is a fantastic person. However, the two families are yet to meet and it`s entirely his (Leander`s) prerogative as to how he wants to go about it," said Dr Vece Paes, an ex-Olympian and the mentor of Leander in more senses than one.